(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(19 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)
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A while before.
In Mariejois, the Five Elders and all allied kings watched the live broadcast from The Navy Headquarters.
The purpose was twofold.
First, to showcase the might of the World Government—nothing could be more shocking than witnessing the annihilation of a Four Emperors pirate group.
Second, to extract a little more of the "Heavenly Tribute" from the allied kings after they witness their might.
"Look at how much effort the Navy has put into eliminating the pirates from the seas. Surely, you wouldn't hesitate to contribute more? Would you really ignore the sacrifices of so many brave Marines?"
And if they refused? Well, it would be quite unfortunate if the pirates suddenly started plundering their lands.
However, from the very beginning, the plan encountered a million mishaps.
Whitebeard's condition was nowhere near as weak as previously reported, and chaos erupted immediately.
When the tsunami surged toward The Navy Headquarters, many allied kings turned pale.
Then, the unexpected happened—aside from Akainu and Naruto, the Admirals barely put in any effort.
Several Whitebeard Pirates division commanders countered them with ease, further enraging the Five Elders.
"Do these idiots not realize this is a live broadcast?! Even if they're not going all out, they shouldn't make it so obvious!"
Sure enough, murmurs spread among the allied kings.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are incredibly strong! Especially their First Division Commander—Kizaru's attacks have no effect on him!"
"Diamond Jozu is just as terrifying. Even Admiral Aokiji can't completely freeze him!"
"The Four Emperors live up to their name… This is insane."
Hearing these remarks, the Five Elders' faces darkened.
When Luffy appeared with Zoro and Sanji, they could no longer sit still.
Luckily, Garp stepped in at a critical moment.
The performance of this Marine veteran forced even the slacking Admirals to feel a bit of shame.
They finally started showing some strength, overpowering their opponents.
But the moment of relief was short-lived.
Sasuke defeated the combined forces of Naruto and Akainu, freed his hands, and rescued Ace through an unknown, mysterious technique.
Kong immediately cut off the live broadcast, but it was already too late—everyone could guess where this was heading.
Now, the Five Elders were in full panic mode.
"Tobirama, come,"
"TOBIRAMA!!!"
Swish!
Senju Tobirama appeared before the Five Elders like a phantom.
"Take CP0 agents and reinforce The Navy Headquarters. Ace and Sabo must not be allowed to leave alive!"
Jaygarcia Saturn barked the order, but after a moment, he realized Tobirama hadn't moved.
His face twisted in a frown.
"Why are you still standing here?! Move!"
Tobirama raised his head, his expression as cold as ice.
"You stupid old five goats… do you have any idea how much effort it takes for me to suppress the urge to kill you every time I see your face and hear your voices?"
"What did you just say?!" Jaygarcia Saturn was both shocked and enraged.
"Tobirama, what is the meaning of this?!"
The other elders were similarly enraged.
They felt like he must have misheard something.
Tobirama smirked.
"Is your hearing failing you? Forget about the Navy and their troubles. Just enjoy the fall of the Celestial Dragons."
With that, he vanished in a flash of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The allied kings stared, dumbfounded.
Was this… a CP0 mutiny?!
****
Above Mariejois, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya stood quietly in the sky.
When she saw Tobirama's signal, she gently moved her sleeve.
A black rift appeared out of thin air, expanding into a spatial corridor.
On the other side, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama stood at the forefront, leading only a few hundred warriors.
But every single one of them was an elite among elites.
Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, the Kage of every village, and the strongest warriors from all factions.
Even former enemies—Dessert Generals from Big Mom's crew, the Three Calamities of the Beasts Pirates, and even Black Arm Zephyr, now healed by Colt—stood among them.
Madara grinned, battle lust blazing in his eyes.
"It has finally begun. After this war, the era of ninjas will rise in this world!"
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's voice was as cold as the moon.
"Not the era of ninjas. This is the era of Colt."
She raised her hand slightly.
"Enough talk. Annihilate all enemies—especially those who dare call themselves the 'descendants of gods'…"
Her gaze turned murderous.
"A bunch of scum who don't know their place."
Hashirama winced.
Somehow, he felt as if he had been collateral damage in that statement.
'The title of God of the Shinobi wasn't something I chose! The ninja world gave me that name!'
Of course, he couldn't say that out loud to her.
The horn of battle sounded.
Madara surged forward, leading the charge into Mariejois.
"Who are you savages? Why are you not kneeling—"
Bang!
A Celestial Dragon tried to shout but didn't even finish his sentence before Madara tore out his heart.
Ever since he was pierced through the chest by Zetsu, Madara had developed a preference for this method of killing.
Flicking the blood from his hand, he glanced at the extravagant surroundings in disgust.
"The stench of decay is unbearable."
His Rinnegan spun rapidly. Ripples spread through the air as he channeled his technique.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A devastating wave of repulsive force exploded outward. Buildings were uprooted, and entire structures collapsed—Mariejois, the so-called Holy Land, was razed in an instant.
The Marines and Celestial Dragons' guards stationed there hadn't even expected an attack.
They barely had time to react before the chaos began.
"Madara, you're going too far!" Hashirama said but clapped his hands together nonetheless.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
The ground cracked, and enormous wooden dragons—each over a hundred meters long—emerged, hunting down enemies.
Mariejois fell into chaos.
The guards stood no chance against the elite warriors attacking them.
A God's Knight threw a desperate punch at one of the wooden dragons, but it barely scratched the beast.
The dragon coiled around him, crushing him in an instant.
Jack the Drought grinned savagely as he chased down a fleeing Celestial Dragon. For once in his life, he felt absolutely no restraint.
Finally, he could let loose.
At the heart of the Holy Land, the Five Elders emerged, their faces twisted in fury.
They scanned the battlefield, watching their sacred city crumble around them.
And then, their gaze landed on the one responsible.
"Uchiha Madara…! This is your doing?!"